These are medicines, preparations, and substances based on the marijuana plant used for medicinal purposes. These substances must be prescribed by doctors and sold in pharmacies.

The entire production chain, from cultivation to preparation and distribution, is controlled to guarantee the quality and safety of the products.

The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is limited to a set of medical conditions (diseases and other side effects), defined by law. However, it is only possible when conventional treatments have had no effect or have had relevant adverse effects.

Marijuana for medicinal purposes is controlled at all stages, from production to distribution.

Marijuana for recreational purposes is an illegal drug without any type of legal control in production and distribution, which is why products purchased in an unregulated manner are often contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals, microorganisms, or even mixed with other substances.

Another factor that distinguishes medical marijuana from recreational marijuana is the proportion of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two substances present in the Cannabis sativa L plant (scientific name of the most used species). THC, as it is the most intoxicating and psychoactive component of marijuana, is the most used for recreational purposes. Due to its effect on the central nervous system, unregulated use can lead to changes in cognitive and behavioural functions.

The substances found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant are similar to the endocannabinoids that exist in the human body and act on receptors in the central nervous system, contributing to functions such as pain control and metabolic, immunological, and inflammatory processes.

Given these similarities, scientists have become curious to understand whether cannabinoids derived from this plant (phyto cannabinoids) could “imitate” endocannabinoids and intervene in these processes.

Studies have been and continue to be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of cannabinoid medications in conditions such as epilepsy, side effects of chemotherapy (nausea and vomiting), weight and appetite loss in people with AIDS or cancer patients, chronic pain, and symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Medical marijuana can only be prescribed by a doctor in cases where conventional treatments have not been successful or have caused significant adverse effects.

The law also limits the situations in which doctors can use cannabis for therapeutic purposes:

• Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries;

• Nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combined therapy for HIV and hepatitis C medication;

• Stimulation of appetite in palliative care for patients with AIDS or undergoing oncological treatments;

• Chronic pain associated with oncological diseases or the nervous system, such as neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage, phantom limb pain, trigeminal neuralgia, or after herpes zoster;

• Tourette’s syndrome;

• Epilepsy and treatment of severe seizure disorders in childhood, such as Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes;

• Therapy-resistant glaucoma.

Like other therapies, medical marijuana also has side effects, so its use should be reserved for cases where the benefits outweigh the risks. Some of the side effects associated with medications, preparations, or substances are: tiredness, dizziness, drowsiness, changes in appetite, palpitations, hypertension, dry mouth, blurred vision, anxiety, confusion, memory or balance changes, among others.

For more information please contact Grupo HPA Saude on (+351) 282 420 400.